Canon has a new flagship model in its EOS Rebel line, the Canon EOS Rebel T4i DSLR. The new camera features what the company calls incredible image quality with an 18-megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor, DIGIC 5 Image Processor with high-speed continuous shooting of up to five frames per second (fps) and an extended ISO range of 100–12800 (expandable to 25600 in H mode).

The camera includes a new autofocus (AF) system to help achieve fast, sharp focus and smooth HD video. This new AF system includes a nine-point all cross-type sensor array, and new Hybrid CMOS AF which achieves fast, silent focus when shooting stills or video in Live View mode.

The Rebel T4i features Canon’s new Movie Servo AF providing a quiet, continuous AF during HD video recording when using one of Canon’s newly introduced Stepping Motor (STM) lenses. The silent continuous autofocus when shooting HD video helps ensure the camera only captures the sounds of the scene being recorded.

Also on board is a new variable-angle, 3-inch touch screen monitor and intuitive “fingertip” controls, touch-menu and advanced still and video capabilities.

One of the most significant upgrades to the T4i is a dramatically upgraded AF system including a nine-point all cross-type AF array, with a high-precision dual-cross f/2.8 point at centre.

This is the first Canon camera to feature the new Hybrid CMOS AF system which increases AF speed by reducing the camera’s need to “hunt” for focus. The result is fast continuous AF when shooting photos and movies in Live View.

Because the camera’s cross-type AF points have two-dimensional contrast detection, the T4i provides highly accurate focus regardless of your shot composition and ensures great focus no matter where the subject is located in the frame, says Canon.

The addition of the dual-cross point in the centre allows for much faster and precise focusing for photographers using high-speed f/2.8 lenses.

Using the camera’s touch panel, parents can select their child on the camera’s LCD screen and the camera will remain focused on that child while he/she remains in-frame, ensuring sharp focus in crowds and group shots.

The new AF system enables touch autofocus for shooting photos and movies in Live View. Touch Focus can be used in video mode, with or without an STM lens. However, the effects of continuous AF will only be achieved with the use of an STM lens.

The T4i includes Canon’s new Movie Servo AF for recording video. When used with EF and EF-S STM lenses, the camera can provide smooth and quiet continuous AF while recording video. This enables the T4i to achieve AF while still retaining a DSLR camera’s signature background blur and image quality.

When shooting video with Canon’s STM lenses, AF also remains silent. The T4i features a built-in stereo microphone, with an attenuator function to reduce audio distortion in extra loud situations.

The electro-static touch-panel screen is the most advanced Canon has released to date with multi-touch capabilities allowing photographers to use familiar gestures such as “pinch-to-zoom” and “swiping” to scroll between pictures.

Camera operation has been simplified through this feature allowing for Touch Focus or Touch Shutter controls via the screen. It flips out to the left and rotates 180 degrees forward and 90 degrees backward, making tough above-the-head and low-to-the-ground shots easier.

The first three in that list take multiple pictures, and combine them – in camera – to help capture a wider dynamic range, minimize the image grain or noise, and produce more vivid colours.

so landscapes and city scenes are as breathtaking as when seen in person.

Video Snapshot mode adds the option to delete, cut or re-order clips before exporting the Snapshot album to post or share.

Scene Intelligent Auto mode – the “green” mode on the dial – analyzes the scene being shot, taking into account faces, colours, brightness, movement and contrast, to select appropriate camera settings and help produce the best possible image.

The EOS Rebel T4i DSLR will be available at the end of June for an estimated retail price of $899.99 for the body alone; $999.99 bundled with an EF-S 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II lens kit. A Movie Kit bundle is $1199.99 with the new EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens.